The Importance of Outdoor Play for Kids
Nature Activities Important for Children’s Growth, Development
Aug 11, 2008
Outdoor play and nature activities are good for kids. But dragging them away from TV, computer and video game screens long enough to enjoy the great outdoors is a parent's challenge.
In his recent book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, author Richard Louv claims that according to recent research, a lack of direct contact with nature is leaving our children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, performing poorly in school and more stressed than a generation ago.
Breaking a child’s habit of time spent watching TV, playing video games and using a computer is not easy and doesn’t have to be done suddenly. Turning off electronics cold turkey and pushing a child out the door won’t allow him to enjoy the outdoors to full potential.
Parents can offer fun, outdoor alternatives to an electronic screen and gradually increase the time spent outdoors. Here are some ways to get your children to spend more time outdoors.
Walk Instead of Drive
Instead of driving to your child’s extracurricular activities, errands and shopping, make the journey getting there part of the outdoor fun. Leave early, wear sneakers or good walking shoes and walk to the things you normally drive to.
If all of your errands are too far from home, park your car several blocks away and trek over to where you’re going. Even city or suburb walking can be a nature walk or outdoor adventure. Point out interesting architecture, flowers, landscaping and insects to your child.
Take Indoor Activities Outdoors
Who says breakfast has to be eaten at the kitchen table and crafts have to be done indoors? Set up a picnic table in your back yard and start enjoying meals, snacks, arts and crafts, and other projects outside.
Plant a Garden
When children get interested in something that simply must be done outside, they’ll want to get out there, regardless of what’s on TV. Turn over a corner of the yard to your child to plant with whatever he wants – flowers, herbs or vegetable plants. Help him learn how the plants should be cared for and encourage him to tend to his garden every day. Kids’ gardening projects are a great way to teach about the science of nature.
Start a Neighborhood Outdoor Playgroup
There’s strength in numbers. Parents having a tough time dragging their kids outside might have an easier time if all the other kids are outdoors. Start a neighborhood playgroup in which a group of children and parents meet in a back yard, playground or neighborhood park once a week or more.
Play Some Nature Games
Give your child a list of things found in nature - an ant hill, a spider web, pine cone, reddish-brown rock - and see how long it takes him to find everything on the list.
Parents can offer fun, exciting alternatives to indoor play that will soon have their children begging to go outdoors.
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